Italy
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Southeastern bishops celebrate Mass at Rome’s St. John Lateran
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published February 11, 2020The bishops of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina celebrated Mass Feb. 10 during their visit “ad limina apostolorum”—to the threshold of the apostles—to report on the status of their dioceses to Rome.
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Surprise! Pope makes several impromptu visits
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published December 10, 2018ROME (CNS)—Pope Francis made surprise visits Dec. 7 and 8 to people receiving medical care far from their homes, to a dozen intellectually challenged young people and to the staff of a major Rome newspaper. The late-afternoon visits Dec. 7 to the CasAmica residence for families with a member needing long-term medical care far from […] Full Story
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‘Selfie’ culture leads to alienation, departure from reality, pope says
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published May 25, 2018ROME (CNS)—While taking selfies can be an occasion to capture treasured memories, it can also be a sign that young men and women are deprived of meaningful human interaction with others, Pope Francis said. Responding to questions May 14 at a meeting with 1,700 priests and lay leaders of the Diocese of Rome gathered at […] Full Story
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‘Is my dad in heaven?’ little boy asks pope
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published April 23, 2018ROME (CNS)—After circling a massive, crumbling public housing complex on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis had an emotional encounter with the neighborhood’s children. Question-and-answer sessions with youngsters are a standard part of Pope Francis’ parish visits. And, at St. Paul of the Cross parish April 15, there were the usual questions like, “How did […] Full Story
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Jesus does not give up on anyone, pope tells prisoners
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published April 11, 2018ROME (CNS)—Before washing the feet of 12 prisoners, Pope Francis told them and hundreds of inmates to remember that Jesus constantly stands before them with love, ready to cleanse their sins and forgive them. “Jesus takes a risk on each of us. Know this: Jesus is called Jesus, not Pontius Pilate. Jesus does not know […] Full Story
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Pope urges children to tell God about their—not others’—sins
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published March 23, 2017ROME (CNS)—Witches don’t really exist, so they can do no harm, Pope Francis told a young girl, but gossip, sin and evil exist and they hurt people every day. “What frightens me?” the pope asked, repeating the question posed by Sara, one of the children at the Rome parish of St. Magdalene of Canossa. “I’m […] Full Story
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Christian witness requires action, pope says during parish visit
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published January 26, 2017ROME (CNS)—Being a real Christian does not mean being a saint, but giving witness to Jesus in word and, especially, deed, Pope Francis told members of a parish on the eastern edge of Rome. Spending more than three hours Jan. 15 at the parish of St. Mary in the Setteville neighborhood, Pope Francis had the […] Full Story
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In Jesuit publications, filmmaker Scorsese talks about his faith
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published December 22, 2016ROME (CNS)—In two long interviews with Jesuit publications, director Martin Scorsese described his new film “Silence” as a major stage in his pilgrimage of faith, a pilgrimage that included flunking out of the minor seminary, investigating other religions and recognizing that the Catholic Church was his home. Growing up in New York, “I was extraordinarily […] Full Story
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Pope asks Jesuits to teach art of discernment to clergy
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published September 1, 2016ROME (CNS)—When it comes to the Christian life, too many seminaries teach students a rigid list of rules that make it difficult or impossible for them as priests to respond to the real-life situation of those who come to them seeking guidance, Pope Francis said. “Some priestly formation programs run the risk of educating in […]
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‘Icon of mercy’: Missionaries superior describes Blessed Teresa
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published September 1, 2016ROME (CNS)—Blessed Teresa of Kolkata was a woman who truly felt wed to Jesus, and the freedom she experienced in loving him led her to radical poverty, a courageous outreach and an immense love for the poor, said the superior general of the order Mother Teresa founded. “She was very happy to be a woman […] Full Story
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Forgive others and find peace, pope says during visit to Assisi
Published August 18, 2016
ASSISI, Italy (CNS)—Celebrating how God’s mercy has been experienced for 800 years in a tiny stone church in Assisi, Pope Francis said people need to experience God’s forgiveness and start learning how to forgive others. “Too many people are caught up in resentment and harbor hatred because they are incapable of forgiving. They ruin their […] Full Story
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Washing feet of refugees, pope says it is gesture of brotherhood, peace
By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES, Catholic News Service
Published March 31, 2016ROME (CNS)—In a moving gesture of brotherhood and peace, Pope Francis washed the feet of several refugees, including Muslims, Hindus and Copts. Gestures, like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, “speak louder than words,” he said during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper March 24. Coming together, he added, is another gesture […] Full Story
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Dialogue, remembrance, peace highlighted as pope visits synagogue
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published January 21, 2016ROME (CNS)—While the Catholic Church affirms that salvation comes through Jesus, it also recognizes that God is faithful and has not revoked his covenant with the Jewish people, Pope Francis said. Interrupted repeatedly with applause at Rome’s main synagogue Jan. 17, the pope said the church “recognizes the irrevocability of the Old Covenant and the […] Full Story
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Pope calls for end to economic exploitation, power-hungry church
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published November 12, 2015FLORENCE, Italy (CNS)—Meeting workers and addressing a major gathering of the Catholic Church in Italy, Pope Francis demanded an end to economic exploitation, to clerics “obsessed” with power, to apathy among youth and to a cold, fearful church that forgets Christ is always by its side. “These times of ours demand that we experience problems […] Full Story
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Celebrating Corpus Christi feast, pope honors persecuted Christians
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
Published June 12, 2015ROME (CNS)–The Eucharist is the seal of God’s covenant, uniting Christians and giving them the strength to bring God’s love to others, even when faith carries a high price, Pope Francis said. Celebrating the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ with an evening Mass outside Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran June 4, […] Full Story
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Amid insurgency, Iraqi priest is guardian angel of ancient manuscripts
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
Published October 30, 2014ROME (CNS)—Just as the so-called Monuments Men salvaged European masterpieces stolen by Nazi forces during World War II, a Dominican priest is protecting priceless manuscripts from falling into the hands of rampaging militants in northern Iraq. Though operating on a much smaller scale, Dominican Father Najeeb Michaeel and the ancient manuscript collections in his care […] Full Story
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Atlantan Among 30 Ordained Deacons In Rome
Published November 11, 2010
An Atlanta archdiocesan seminarian was among 30 men of the Pontifical North American College recently ordained to the transitional diaconate. Rev. Mr. Joshua T. Allen will continue his studies in Rome until next summer when he is scheduled to be ordained a priest. “What I am most thankful for is a spirit of recollection during […] Full Story
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Two Transitional Deacons Ordained In Rome
By STEPHEN O'KANE, Staff Writer
Published October 9, 2009Two Atlanta seminarians were among 30 Americans ordained as transitional deacons Oct. 8 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Llane Briese, 23, and Michael Silloway, 26, are studying at pontifical universities in Rome while living and receiving formation at the Pontifical North American College there. The two young men are expected to be ordained as […] Full Story
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In Rome, Archbishop Speaks On How To Preach
By CAROL GLATZ, CNS
Published February 7, 2008Preaching effectively in U.S. multicultural communities hinges upon believing passionately in God’s word and his universal plan of salvation, Atlanta’s archbishop told U.S. seminarians studying in Rome. “If the preacher truly, deeply, passionately embraces the word,” then the word of God “will find a home in the hearts of those who listen,” said Archbishop Wilton […] Full Story
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Archbishop: Church Needs Inspiring Preachers
By CAROL GLATZ, CNS
Published October 13, 2005The church needs vibrant, inspiring preachers and new ways to communicate faith traditions in its response to current challenges, said Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta. While the Oct. 2-23 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist grapples with concerns such as how to attract more priestly vocations or how to reach out to young people […] Full Story
